Rydal retreat

Last weekend I went on a 2 day retreat to Rydal, a really pretty little village between Bathurst and Lithgow. Patricia, the lady I work for, arranged it and it was wonderful. There were 11 of us there, some of the ladies I knew, and some I hadn't met before. Patricia did all the catering and the food was great, as was the sewing, the company and the location.

This is the caterer, Patricia, working very hard to make sure we all had enough to eat.

and some of the local wildlife, these were just outside the dining room. Aren't they gorgeous.

The Thursday Girls - I was threatened with all sorts of things if I put this up, but they are all lovely ladies and I enjoyed spending the weekend with them. So I think they deserve some recognition.

This is Rydal, it is so pretty. They were having their annual Daffodil weekend when we were there and the daffodils were just beautiful, and everywhere.

Bitsy Buttons and Friends - that is the original pattern name by Bunny Hill. But I don't think it will end up being called that. I finished it on the weekend. The fabrics are mainly American Jane from a layer cake. The scallop border is a bit different to the pattern. I'm going to put flash buttons on the bows and a fancy collar and tag on the one who doesn't have a bow.

And this is the quilt that I made over the weekend. It is a Jaybird pattern, done with the Creative Grids Lazy Angle ruler, and it was fabulous to do. I changed the layout just a bit. I am really happy with the way it turned out, and now I want to do some more similar ones. This one is for the Relay for Life - to be raffled next year. 

More new stuff

There has been a huge amount of new stock arriving over the last couple of weeks. I thought I should stock up so that anyone who wants to make stuff for Christmas gifts can get their patterns early to get started. I'm even thinking of making some of my own gifts this year. Have a few plans, will just have to see how they pan out.

So here are a few of the new Australian designs that are in. Some are brand new, and some are back in stock after being out for a while. There are several here that would make great gift, actually I think they all would. Leave a comment if there are any you are likely to make and let me know who for and I will give free shipping for these patterns if you buy from SewArmadillo

This is the new Creative Card from Melly & Me, a quick and easy cushion. So cute. I love Dresden plates.

A fabulous bag, called Sleepover, another from Melly & Me

Little Kitty - a cute and easy softie pattern, perfect for all ages.

This is a gorgeous redwork design from Rosalie Quinlan, it is called Home for Christmas

One of my favourites, this one is Sarah - another Rosalie Quinlan design

And a May Blossom design - Mouse in a Matchbox - so cute.

Finished and ongoing projects

I feel really bad because I always mean to write my blog but it seems to be the last thing that happens. But at least I have a few things to write about today. Firstly here is a finished quilt, quilted and bound and sent to it's new home. It was a Christmas present for my daughter and son-in-law. Hot Chocolate and Tim Tams is the name that Wendy Williams of Flying Fish Kits gave the pattern but I haven't got a name for this one. It is really quite gold, not as cream and brown as it looks. All the fabrics have gold on them, and they are all oriental. I think it's great , and so do Jo and Jamie.

Hot Chocolate and Tim Tams in gold oriental fabrics.

The baby dilemma, which quilt to send, has been sorted. They like the rocket ship quilt of course, so that is going off to Oscar as soon as I put a label on it. I haven't got a photo of it quilted, but Belinda (ER Quilting) did a great job as always.

This one is a charity quilt, not sure who will get it yet and it hasn't been quilted. Just something fun and simple and bright.

And this is my latest project, isn't it so cool. It is a Bunny Hill pattern - Bitsy Button & Friends. I made it from an American Jane layer cake and all my dogs, except one, get fabulous bows. The Bunny Hill pattern has only one dog with a bow. The one in mine that doesn't have a bow will end up with something fabulous and a hanging charm of some sort, but I have to wait till it's quilted. Not ready for that yet as I need to put some borders on it. Then I have to decide what to do with it. I know a very nice little girl who may get it for her next birthday.